Johann Simon Mayr (Donizetti’s teacher) was the biggest name in Italian opera until supplanted by a young upstart named Rossini. Franz Hauk and his forces in Ingolstadt have revived many long-forgotten Mayr works, including this unusual (and operatic) setting of the Passion story, from Mary’s perspective.

Benjamin Britten: Paul Bunyan

Britten’s “American” opera, with libretto by W.H. Auden, gives a philosophical angle to the lumberjack stories of northern Minnesota. Who would have guessed they would have a coloratura dog named Fido? (Me!) World premiere recording, conducted by Philip Brunelle, with The Plymouth Music Series of Minnesota (now Vocalessence).